SPRING VALLEY MAN CONVICTED IN CHRISTMAS 2013 HOMICIDE

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Juan Perez-Coira, 44, of Spring Valley, New York was convicted after a bench trial of two counts of murder in the second degree, class “A” felonies; one count of attempted criminal sexual act in the first degree , a class “C” felony; one count of attempted rape in the first degree, a class “C” felony; each relating to the killing of 55-year-old Deborah Burns.

“The defendant took the life of an innocent woman during a vicious sexual assault,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “I can only hope that the victim’s family finds some measure of comfort and solace knowing her attacker will be sentenced to at least 15 years as punishment for his savagery.”

On or about and between December 24 and December 26, 2013, Perez-Coira attempted to commit the crime of rape in the first degree and attempted to commit the crime of criminal sexual act in the first degree, Zugibe said. A

Zugibe said Perez-Coira attempted to vaginally and then anally penetrate the victim and in the course of the attempted rape caused her death. Perez-Coira and the victim were acquaintances and had spent the evening together before the defendant caused her death. She died as the result of internal bleeding.

The defendant remains held at the Rockland County Jail. He faces a maximum of 25 years to fe in state prison when he is sentenced on March 3, 2015. Executive Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Senior Assistant District Attorney Tanya A. Gayle are prosecuting the case.